VERBIER, Switzerland, July 19, 2009 (AFP) – Britain’s Bradley Wiggins called for calm on Sunday as he produced a “fantastic” display of climbing on the Tour de France 15th stage to move up to third overall in the standings.

“It’s a long way to go, let’s not get too excited,” said Wiggins, who now has only Lance Armstrong and new race leader Alberto Contador in front of him.

Wiggins, a track specialist who is the reigning world and Olympic pursuit champion, has stunned admirers and rivals alike with a consistent display throughout that has kept him in contention for the yellow jersey.

The 29-year-old Englishman proved there is more than one arrow to his quiver again on the second of three summit finishes when he managed to keep pace with some of the world’s best climbers.

In the closing kilometres of the 8.8km ride to the summit finish Wiggins even had the legs to accelerate away from seven-time champion Armstrong.

His move ultimately allowed him to finish fifth at 1:06 behind stage winner Contador, who took the yellow jersey in commanding fashion. Armstrong finished ninth at 1:35 and is now 1:37 behind his Spanish teammate.

Wiggins, who has come into this year’s race two kilos lighter than he was at the Giro d’Italia, where he already showed glimpses of his new climbing talent, said his performance was down to positive thinking.

“Fantastic, it’s really fantastic, I don’t know what to say,” said Wiggins.

“I’m in great shape, I just keep thinking that. I kept that in my mind.”

With three more mountain stages and a 40km time trial, the race for the yellow jersey is only now beginning.

Wiggins, whose best previous finish at the Tour was a 123rd place in 2006, said he is taking it one day at a time.

“I keep going day by day, I keep saying, day by day, I never think too far ahead. I’ve trained for this mentally and physically.

“Whatever we do we’re going day by day,” he insisted.

Photo by: CorVos Pro